Desirée Dramstad Funston, MLIS, is a seventh-generation Montanan, a librarian, and a family historian. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Montana and a Master of Information and Library Science from the University of Washington. She started researching her family’s history in 2018 and has not stopped since. She has completed the Boston University certificate course, the ProGen Study Group, and numerous institute courses. She serves as the president of the Montana State Genealogical Society. A lifelong resident of Montana, she resides in the Bitterroot Valley with her husband, their cat, and a flock of chickens.

She is using this blog as a way to be more intentional about writing up her research findings, to share fun and interesting information that she discovers, and hopefully to encourage others to share their family history, too.

Résumé

Education

• Graduate Certificate in Public History, University of Montana (in progress)
• Genealogical Research Certificate, Boston University (May 2019)
• Master of Information and Library Science, University of Washington (June 2009)
• BA English, University of Montana (May 2024)

Employment History

• Reference & Genealogy Librarian, Missoula Public Library (January 2014 – present)
• Library Director, North Valley Public Library (October 2011 – June 2013)
• Library Director, Montana State Prison (September 2008 – October 2011)

Publication

• “Researching the Big Sky: Records and Repositories for Montana Genealogy,” Crossroads, vol. 21, issue 1, p. 20-25.

Presentation

• “Researching the Big Sky: Montana Genealogy,” Allen County Public Library, 15 April 2025.

Service

• Montana History Portal metadata volunteer (July 2026 – present)
• Montana State Genealogical Society President (September 2023 – present)
• Missoula Public Library Employees’ Association President (June 2020 – June 2026)
• Montana Book Award Committee (January 2014 – April 2017)

Awards and Certifications

• Ancestry ProGenealogist Scholarship (January 2021)
• Laura G. Prescott Scholarship (August 2020)
• Montana State Library Certified Library Administrator (January 2010 – present)
• Professional Education and Employment for Librarians (PEEL) Scholarship (August 2026)

Professional Associations

• National Genealogical Society (May 2019 – present)
• Montana State Genealogical Society (May 2019 – present)
• Western Montana Genealogical Society (May 2019 – present)
• Montana Library Association (October 2006 – present)